Gridly vs Magnet
Title-bar trackpad gestures vs the Mac App Store's classic snap tool.
Magnet has been arranging Mac windows since 2012 — drag a window to an edge or press a shortcut, and it snaps into place. Gridly does the same job from the title bar with a two-finger swipe: no dragging across the screen, no shortcut table. This page compares both so you can pick the workflow that matches your hands.
Why people compare Gridly and Magnet
Magnet is one of the best-selling Mac utilities on the App Store for a reason: it is simple, reliable, and inexpensive. But every snap still starts by either memorising a shortcut or physically dragging the window to a screen edge — fine when you are already holding the title bar, awkward when you are not.
Gridly was built for the moment your fingers are already on the trackpad. Swipe on the title bar, see exactly where the window will land, release. The window glides into place without crossing the screen first.
Quick comparison
| Gridly | Magnet | |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | One gesture from the title bar. Direction picks the target; extra swipes refine width or corner. Hands stay on the trackpad. | Trigger areas and keyboard shortcuts. Drag to an edge or corner, or press a key combo — the classic Mac App Store snap workflow. |
| Input model | Two-finger swipe on the title bar — the same motion every time | Drag-to-edge trigger areas plus customizable keyboard shortcuts |
| Width | 12 columns from the title-bar swipe: allocate any share from 1/12 to full, one column at a time — including in corners | Fixed snap sizes (halves, thirds, quarters) via drag zones or shortcuts; no 12-column step from the title bar |
| Multi-window | Auto-fill: place one window, then Gridly fills the remaining space with recent windows. Or pick each one manually from a list. | One window per action. No built-in workflow for filling a screen with multiple windows in sequence. |
| Preview before commit | Coloured overlay follows your fingers until you release — change your mind any time before lifting | Trigger zones highlight when dragging reaches an edge. Keyboard shortcuts commit immediately. |
| Undo | Press Esc within 5 seconds to undo every window Gridly just moved | No built-in undo |
| Price | $3.99 one-time | $4.99 one-time (Mac App Store) |
| Free trial | 14 days, full features, no card | No free trial listed on the Mac App Store |
| License | One Mac per license, every future update included | Perpetual license with Family Sharing (up to six family members) |
| macOS requirement | macOS 14.0+ | macOS 13.0+ |
| Distribution | Direct download from yangbyte.com | Mac App Store only (automatic updates, purchase history) |
Pricing and licensing, plain
Gridly costs $3.99 once and includes every future update, with a 14-day full-feature trial that needs no credit card. Magnet is $4.99 once on the Mac App Store — no subscription, no in-app purchases. Magnet supports Family Sharing for up to six family members; Gridly licenses one Mac per purchase.
If buying through the Mac App Store and sharing with family matters most, Magnet is the natural pick. If you want title-bar gestures, a live preview, and auto-fill for multiple windows, that is what Gridly was built for.
When to choose each
Magnet is the App Store classic for edge snapping. Gridly is for trackpad-first users who want to snap without dragging or memorising keys.
Choose Gridly if you want
Gesture-first- Title-bar swipes instead of dragging windows across the screen
- A live preview before the window moves, so you never commit to the wrong spot
- To place one window and fill the rest of the screen automatically
- 12-column widths — keep swiping sideways to allocate any share from 1/12 to full
- Every future update included in one purchase
Choose Magnet if you want
- A proven App Store utility with automatic updates and purchase history
- Family Sharing — one purchase for up to six family members
- Drag-to-edge snapping with polished trigger zones
- Keyboard shortcuts alongside edge dragging
- Compatibility with macOS 13 (Gridly needs 14.0+)
Frequently asked
Is Gridly a good Magnet alternative?
If you want to snap windows from the title bar with trackpad gestures instead of dragging to edges or pressing shortcuts, yes. Gridly uses one two-finger swipe for every placement. If you prefer Magnet's trigger-area dragging or need Family Sharing through the App Store, keep Magnet.
Does Gridly support drag-to-edge snapping like Magnet?
No. Gridly only snaps via a two-finger swipe on the title bar. It does not register screen-edge trigger zones. If drag-to-edge is your preferred input, Magnet or Rectangle is the better fit.
Which is cheaper, Gridly or Magnet?
Gridly is $3.99 one-time with a 14-day free trial. Magnet is $4.99 one-time on the Mac App Store with no free trial listed. Both are one-time purchases with no subscription.
Can I run Gridly and Magnet at the same time?
You can install both, but only one should move windows at a time. Two snap tools responding to the same window can fight over placement. Use the 14-day Gridly trial side by side to decide, then disable one.